A recent decision of the Delaware Superior Court cited an article that I co-authored with Chauna Abner that provides a step-by-step guide to transferring cases from the Delaware Court of Chancery to Delaware’s trial court of general jurisdiction, the Superior Court. See RiseDelaware Inc. v. DeMatteis, C.A. No. N22C-09-526-CLS (Del. Super. May 22, 2023).
Francis G.X. Pileggi
Limited Discovery in Section 220 Actions
Some readers who have followed these pages over the last 18 years may be weary of reading about DGCL Section 220 court decisions regarding the nuanced right, subject to various prerequisites, of a stockholder to demand certain books and records. But bear with me for this short post.
Discovery in a Section 220 case is…
Who Can Represent a Cancelled LLC in Response to a Petition Seeking Receiver?
The Delaware Court of Chancery recently addressed the titular topic and reasoned after a thorough analysis that, in opposing the appointment of a receiver, counsel’s “purported representation of a defunct limited liability company is not only puzzling, but impossible.” In Re Reinz Wisconsin Gasket, LLC, C.A. No. 2022-0859-MTZ, Slip op. at 2 (Del. Ch.
Standards for Judicial Recusal or Disqualification
I recently posted my latest ethics column for The Bencher which provided a short overview of the standards for judicial recusal or disqualification applicable to federal judges. The standards for state judges are similar but based on slightly different rules.
Fortunately, there are not many decisions by the Delaware Court of Chancery on the standards…
Criteria for Judicial Recusal
This short overview provides the basic criteria to be considered when an issue is presented about judicial recusal…
Continue Reading Criteria for Judicial Recusal
Chancery Recognizes De Facto LLC Manager
The Delaware Court of Chancery recently determined that regardless of the absence of a formal title or role, one can be found to be acting as a de facto manager of an LLC, and therefore, subject to personal jurisdiction of the court, as well as being bound by common law fiduciary duties, pursuant to Section…
Chancery Interprets Proper Purpose for DGCL Section 220 Demand
Caspian Select Credit Master Fund Ltd. v. Key Plastics Corp., C.A. No. 8624-vcn (Del. Ch. Feb. 24, 2014).
Practical Insights on Decision: This Chancery opinion is one of many examples highlighted on these pages over the last 9 years or so, of the not infrequent inefficiency and unsatisfying nature of an action…
Chancery Denies Request for Books and Records of Hewlett-Packard
Cook v. Hewlett-Packard Co., C.A. No. 8667-VCG (Del. Ch. Jan. 24, 2014)(revised Jan. 30, 2014).
Issue Addressed: Was a stockholder entitled to additional books and records from Hewlett-Packard regarding accounting fraud at a company HP purchased? Answer: No
Short Highlights
This post-trial letter opinion from the Court of Chancery…
Key 2013 Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions
Top Ten 2013 Delaware Corporate and Commercial Decisions
By: Francis G.X. Pileggi and Kevin F. Brady
This is our ninth annual review of key Delaware corporate and commercial decisions. During 2013, we reviewed and summarized over 200 decisions from Delaware’s Supreme Court and Court of Chancery on corporate and commercial issues. Among the decisions with…
Chancery Denies Claim For Advancement and Indemnification From Successor Entity
Grace v. Ashbridge LLC, C.A. No. 8348-VCN (Del. Ch. Dec. 31, 2013).
Issue Addressed: Whether a successor entity was liable for advancement and indemnification claims based on the operating agreement of a successor entity LLC even though the sole allegations involve a predecessor entity and a related entity. Short Answer: No.
Brief Overview…